1.

Definition
Tornadoes are violent storms that strike as a powerful rotating mixture of wind and thunderstorm
clouds, extending from the clouds to the ground in a funnel shape. They are known to be the most
powerful and destructive atmospheric generated phenomena (wind systems), and are very
common in the USA, particularly from the middle belt extending to the east coast.

Every year, there is an average of 800 tornadoes that hit various parts of the USA. Even though
many of them are very mild and could be seen as just strong winds, there has been a few
tornadoes that have been very devastating and flattened many homes, schools and structures
along its path.

Tornado incidents are distributed all year through, forming particularly in late spring (march),
with the most incidents occurring in the summer (may and june), and reducing in numbers and
strengths in the fall.
2. Causes

Tornadoes form on land and are natural phenomena caused by violent thunderstorms
whenever there is enough wind shear and instability in the lower atmosphere.

1. Instability and Wind Shear Conditions

The instability is created when there is the presence of unusually humid and warm
conditions in the lower atmosphere and cooler conditions in the upper atmosphere. The
cooler layer prevents the warm and humid air from moving upwards, creating instability.

Wind shear occurs when the direction of the wind changes and increases in speed and
height. For instance, winds moving at 5 miles per hour at the surface can shift the wind
speed to 40 miles per hour at 4,000 feet altitude.

The combination of instability and wind shear thus brings about the formation of the
tornado. The existence of the instability and the wind shear is only at cold front and low-
pressure system. The wind shear and unstable air results in updrafts and downdrafts in the
violent thunderstorm that causes tilting of the winds, forming an upright tornado vortex.
This is influenced by the changes in wind speed and direction in the upper areas of the
atmosphere that causes an upright spinning effect in the lower region. The air flowing at
the low-pressure center converges inward in the direction of the thunderstorm, making it
spin even faster with a diameter ranging from 2 to 6 miles of rotating air.

At this point, the rotating effect forms a center core of violent ascending currents of air.
This creates a rotating wall cloud origination from the eye of the storm from the base of
the cloud. The tornado is now fully formed. The center is the most dangerous part, which
usually flattens everything in its path.

2. Updrafts and Downdrafts

Other ingredients that can influence the occurrence of tornadoes is the presence of
dry air in the middle of the atmosphere which can quickly be cooled by
thunderstorm, intensifying updrafts and downdrafts that aid the formation of
tornadoes.
Perhaps if you take time to look at a tornado, you’ll realize there is a boundary
between bright clouds (the storm’s downdraft area) and dark clouds (the storm’s
updraft area). The significance of updrafts and downdrafts in the formation of
tornadoes is revealed from this.

Since wind shear and instability are the main elements for tornado formation, lack of
either element leads to the formation of weak tornadoes. If wind shear conditions are
strong but the atmosphere is not unusually unstable, only weak tornadoes form.

The vice versa also produce similar results. In California for instance, weak tornadoes
form in the winter when wind shear conditions are strong but the atmosphere is calm. In
Florida, the same happens when the airmass is very unstable, but there is very little wind
shear.
Tornadoes are very dangerous and are categorized as natural disasters whenever they
strike hard. As much as it can be a wonderful natural phenomenon to view, it’s
imperative to take shelter if tornado comes. In tornado prone areas most people have built
storm shelters or cellars underneath their homes so that they could take cover whenever a
tornado is imminent.

3. Effects
There are about a thousand tornadoes every year in the United States. While 74 percent

of tornadoes are weak, they have a significant but reparable effect on humans and

nature. The impact of the remaining 26 percent can be much more substantial.

Tornadoes are different than other natural disasters, such as hurricanes, because they

are confined to a relatively small area (typically a few hundred meters wide). Though

hurricanes have more total energy, the energy density within a tornado can be much

higher.

The Enhanced Fujita Scale

The Enhanced Fujita scale is a measure that determines the strength of a tornado. It
was updated from the original Fujita scale in 2007. The storms are rated on a scale of
EF0 through EF5. From the amount of damage a tornado causes, scientists are able to
determine the approximate wind speed within the tornado. An EF0 has a wind speed
between 65 and 85 miles per hour, which can tear branches off trees or shatter
windows with debris. An EF5 has speeds greater than 200 miles per hour. EF5's have
caused cars to fly through the air like missiles.

Loss of Life

Tornadoes typically kill 60 to 80 people per year and injure more than 1,500. Most
deaths come from flying or falling debris, and occur in the most violent tornadoes.
 Violent tornadoes (EF4 and EF5) comprise about 2 percent of all tornadoes, but they
account for 70 percent of tornado deaths.

In the event of a tornado, seek the sturdiest structure available. Move away from
windows, and stay as low to the ground as possible.

Property Damage

Another significant effect tornadoes have on humans is the property damage. Weak
tornadoes can take the roofs off buildings and break windows. Stronger tornadoes have
been shown to level buildings. This can have a considerable economic impact. In 1999,
Oklahoma suffered about $1.1 billion in property damage and crop losses from
tornadoes.

Effects on Nature

When you consider the size of Earth, tornadoes have a relatively small effect on the
overall environment. However, the areas where tornadoes strike are greatly impacted.
Trees and plants can be uprooted, and diseases in the soil are spread. Wildlife loses
their lives or habitat.

Be that as it may, the effects of tornadoes on the environment may not be all negative.
Biologists are researching the possibility that tornadoes are responsible for certain small
animal and plant life being spread throughout parts of the United States.

4. How to prepare for a tornadoes

1. Prepare your family.[1]
 Discuss a plan and practice it.[2] Create a list with contact information, insurance
information, and in case of emergency out of town contacts. Make sure everyone in the
family knows where to go, what to take, and how to be safe if a tornado hits.
 Store important documents, just in case.[3] Make copies of birth certificates, insurance
information, and social security cards to bring with you if you need to evacuate. This will
be valuable if you aren't able to return home immediately after the tornado.
 Set up means of communication.[3] Make sure everyone in the family knows how to get
in contact with everyone else. School number, work number, and cell phone numbers
 should be compiled on a list. Anyone, such as a babysitter, that your children might be
with during the emergency should be included on this list. Keep it with the copies of your
important documents. Know who will be in charge of having these forms, if evacuation is
necessary.
 Know the closest evacuation center. If you may be in the danger zone, it's important to
know where the safest place to be is. In most cases, schools, the community center,
and city building are used. These places will have medical attention and supplies. This
can also be used as a meet up place for your family after the storm.

2. Prepare your house.

 Create an emergency kit.[4] This should include water and food for at least 72 hours.
Having a means of communication or information (radio, satellite phone, etc.) is also
important to include. Any first aid supplies, clothes, and toiletries that you may need
should be stored along with flashlights, batteries, etc. For more ideas,
see: http://www.ready.gov/kit)
 Build or designate a safe room.[1] Rooms that can typically be used include basements,
garages, interior rooms on the first floor, etc. The room should have no windows, be
anchored to the ground to avoid uplift, and be strong enough to withstand any flying
debris it may come in contact with. Be aware that water may accompany the storm, so
be cautious when using below ground rooms, as they may collect water.
 Arrange and secure household items.[3] Arrange furniture so that it is away from
windows, mirrors or glass. This could cause broken glass to fly during the tornado,
creating a hazard. Make sure
 any items that may move during the storm are moved away from your family. Use eye
bolts or l brackets to secure large furniture to the walls.

5. Conclusion
Tornadoes are violent storms that strike as a powerful rotating mixture of wind and thunderstorm
clouds, extending from the clouds to the ground in a funnel shape. Tornadoes form on land and
are natural phenomena caused by violent thunderstorms whenever there is enough wind shear and
instability in the lower atmosphere. There are many disaster that can be caused by tornadoes.
How to prepare for a tornadoes are prepare your family and prepare your house.